HC Deb 15 December 1965 vol 722 cc285-6W
119. Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will ensure that those fishing boats banned from drift-netting for salmon in 1962 will now either have the chance of compensation for their gear, or be allowed to apply again for licence to fish beyond the three-mile limit for salmon.

Mr. Ross

No. I propose to continue the ban on drift-net fishing for salmon meantime until I have completed consideration of the Report of the Hunter Committee on all methods of salmon fishing. The Committee examined the case for compensation and concluded that there was no strong grounds for this.

Mr. Wolrige-Gordon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will permit Scottish fishing boats to use drift-nets under licence to catch salmon over the three-mile limit in the open sea.

Mr. Ross

I propose to continue the ban on drift-net fishing for salmon until I have completed consideration of the Hunter Committee Report and the observations being made to me by the various organisations interested in salmon and trout fisheries. I have therefore laid an Order before Parliament to extend for a further period of one year from 15th February, 1966 the ban on drift-net fishing for salmon in the sea off Scotland.